Room: Amazon
Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Time: 17:30 - 18:30 CEST
Session code 5BO.14
Advances in upgrading for high-quality drop-in biofuels
Upgrading of Chlorella Vulgaris -Based HTL Biocrude to Produce Biofuels
Short Introductive summary
This study investigates the upgrading of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) biocrude derived from Chlorella vulgaris for biofuel production. The upgrading process, performed under both catalytic (NiMo/Al2O3 and CoMo/Al2O3) and non-catalytic conditions, effectively reduced oxygen-, nitrogen-, and sulphur-containing compounds, thereby enhancing stability and heating value. The results revealed that while catalysts significantly improved performance, non-catalytic upgrading also achieved substantial heteroatom removal. Moreover, characterization results indicated that upgrading not only removed heteroatoms but also induced moderate cracking reactions that increase the fraction of lighter hydrocarbons within the aviation fuel boiling range. These combined effects highlight the dual function of biocrude upgrading, which is heteroatom removal and hydrocarbon chain adjustment, as a promising route for improving product quality and enhancing the yield of the desired biofuel fractions like kerosene.
Presenter
Abdullah Z. TURAN
TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, TURKEY
Presenter's biography
Senior Researcher at TUBITAK with 15+ years’ experience in advanced biofuels and clean process technologies. Coordinator of Horizon Europe SUSTEPS project on algae-based SAF. Expertized in biofuels, syngas/CO2 conversion, process modelling and pilot-scale demonstration.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
G. Behmenyar, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
G. Kayali, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
I. Isik Gülsaç, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
K.B. Demirtas, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
L. Boot, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
Ö. Atac, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
Ö. Karahan, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
V. Demir, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
Y. Durak Cetin, TUBITAK Marmara Research Center, Kocaeli, TURKEY
Session reference: 5BO.14.3